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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Food)

Food is a collection of interesting facts about the diet, foods, and culinary customs of ancient Rome. This category includes lesser-known facts and interesting information about Roman dishes, ingredients, meal organization, and dietary differences between the different social classes of the Roman Empire.

Pork in Imperium Romanum

Pork is a very tasty meat – probably everyone who eats it will agree with this. Many of us probably cannot imagine that at least once a week there would be no pork chop or bacon for breakfast at least once a week.

Tombstone relief showing Roman butcher

Romans ate while reclining

Roman patricians ate in reclining positions, settling on sofas. The sofas encircled the main table on three sides, with food and drink delivered by slaves to individual guests. The name of the Roman dining room – triclinium – comes from three beds (Greek: treis kline).

A painting by Roberto Bompiani showing a Roman feast